"Things aren't looking good for me, are they?"
No meridians to circulate Qi. Thousands of techniques to use. No body refining ability and his dantians, non-functional, no strength to call his own.
Just a cripple. In a world of monsters. Kyle thought.
His jaw clenched.
Just as he thought of getting out of his bed, the door creaked open gently. Nuna entered in the same maid outfit, her steps measured and graceful.
Kyle didn't turn.
He remained seated in his bed, tentatively staring at the window. His thoughts were far. The soft rustle of fabric and the quiet shuffle of feet broke the silence.
"It is time to bathe, young master."
The maid approached Kyle's bed, her hands folded calmly in front of her.
She stood there, in front of him, as if expecting something from him. That's when it hit Kyle.
'Oh right, the maids bathe me in this world.' Now that he had his predecessor's memories, things would be easier for him.
He could not imagine how troublesome it would be, walking around with no common sense whatsoever, it would only make people suspicious of him.
But then looking at Nuna's form, he got an idea, 'Maybe I should make her my first partner?' He thought casually.
But the more he looked at Nuna, the more the idea seemed to make sense. The seed of affection he held for her bloomed into something more in his heart.
He smiled.
'If you will have me, Nuna, I will make sure to make you mine.' He thought but didn't say it out loud.
Outwardly, Nuna seemed cold and unconcerned.
But her eyes said otherwise; even now, the tinkle in her eyes while looking at him told him all he needed to know.
Her previous interactions with Kyle said the same. She would keep him company in his worst time, comfort him when he was troubled.
She also stayed with him while he read late into the night to make sure he had everything he needed.
And the way she acted the previous day. She cherished him, maybe one of the few people who actually cared.
If he really had a chance at making anyone his partner, it was Nuna. And, she was also a genius at cultivation.
At the mid-stages of the foundation establishment realm, at her age! That was a cultivation speed only displayed by the sons and daughters of noble houses, true geniuses.
The regular person would be hard stuck in the Qi condensation stage, their whole lives, unable to cultivate for centuries, until their lifespan ran out.
And here she was, as an eighteen-year-old, already in the second cultivation realm. That even people with high potential ceilings would only reach after fifty years, at least.
And according to his manual's instructions, the higher your partner's cultivation base, the better the benefits while cultivating together.
Even so, if she did not want to be his partner, he would not force it.
Despite being a virgin during his whole life on earth, and here as well, the least his status as a noble could do for him was draw ladies to him.
But he knew he cared about her, maybe even loved her, so even better if she chose to be with him.
'She is supposed to be my personal maid, and two years my senior, which makes her eighteen years old.'
"Young lord?" She called out to him again. "Something wrong?"
"Ahh, yes, sorry about that, Nuna, I spaced out, bath, right?" Kyle slowly moved out of bed and stood up straight.
"My Lord… may I?" came her soft voice from behind him. He nodded, and she got rid of his sleeping gown, leaving him in a loose tunic.
A knock came at his door, and it opened once again. Another person entered.
Kyle was still inwardly reaffirming the idea because somewhere else in his mind, he was afraid that she might reject him, and that scared him. He blinked, drawn back to the present.
But he had already decided to give it a try. You miss a hundred percent of the shots you never take, he thought.
Turning slightly, he saw a young maid standing at the entrance.
She bowed to him, a towel folded neatly over one arm, a silver basin of essence in her hands. He recognized her, one of the newer servants.
Brown hair tied in a modest bun, a simpler maid's uniform, and the same crisp discipline of House Raventhorne's staff.
"You can go into the bath, Young Lord, I'll follow after you." Nuna addressed him.
"…Of course," Kyle said after a moment, his voice even.
He entered his bathroom. The room in itself was quite spacious. A tub, large enough for four, was set to the side. Shelves with accessories, a shower, and bars to hang stuff on.
Nuna followed inside moments later, moving with graceful efficiency. Steam rose gently from the tub as she approached it, setting down the basin of essence on a side table near the bath.
She began lighting the lanterns around the marble tub, filling the room with a soft, golden glow.
Kyle watched her quietly.
He was not used to this level of attention, not really. But now… this was different, this was his life now. Perhaps it won't be so bad, living in this world.
He stood and began unfastening the top of his tunic. Nuna stepped closer, her eyes lowered. "Shall I assist you, my Lord?"
Kyle paused. There was no hesitation in her voice. Only the professional poise of someone used to serving him.
And yet, he could see, just slightly, the stiffness in her shoulders, the way her fingers tensed as she reached for the buttons.
"Thank you, but..." he said gently. "I can manage this much at least." He smiled gently at her
She nodded and turned her back respectfully, giving him privacy as he disrobed.
He walked towards the tub in some shorts, warm water enveloped him soon after, drawing a sigh from his lips as he sank into the marble tub.
The scented oils' essence, lavender and a faint hint of some woodsy herb, calmed his nerves.
Nuna moved quietly about the room, folding his clothes, setting a clean robe aside, and placing towels within reach.
Kyle closed his eyes for a moment. Taking his time to unwind.
"My Lord…" Nuna's voice interrupted his thoughts.
He opened his eyes.
She held a clean cloth in her hands. "Would you like me to assist with your hair?"
He looked at her calm face, then nodded.
She knelt behind the tub, dipping the cloth into the warm water before gently dabbing it against his scalp, then trailing it through the strands of his black hair.
For a moment, he allowed himself to relax. The warmth of the water, the soft rhythm of her movements, the quiet hush of the room.
"Forgive me, my Lord, for being so forward," the maid said softly, "but… I'm glad you're alright." She suddenly said.
He tilted his head slightly to look at Nuna.